Phillip Schofield played a prank on Holly Willoughby for her first ever This Morning episode - leaving her terrified seconds before going live on air.

Holly is this week celebrating 10 years as host of the ITV daytime show, having taken over from long-time presenter Fern Britton after 10 years on the show.

Over the last decade, Holly and Phil have made no secret of their chemistry both on and off screen, as they share giggles and in-jokes in front of the camera and even holiday together with their families during the summer.

But their very first episode together could have looked a lot different, as Phil decided to play a trick on his brand new TV partner.

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Phil pretended to walk off seconds before Holly's first ever episode (Image: ITV)

"Erm, like this isn't really happening," Holly replied while still holding on to her partner's arm.

"Well you just said that a second ago, which makes me just a tad nervous," Phil joked.

The clip of her first day was run again last October, when This Morning aired its last ever episode in the ITV Southbank studios.

Looking back over the old footage, Phil exclaimed: "And you said I looked shiny and new."

Recalling her very first time presenting the show, Holly said: "I know, I'd just had Harry then, so Harry was about three months old I think, and I just remember this was one of the scariest things in my telly career I'd ever had to do.

"Because it's a huge show and I loved it as a viewer, so to come in that day and have to stand next to you as well, I mean the whole thing was just terrifying," she admitted.

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Holly and Phil reminisced about about their first episode together (Image: ITV)

Since then, the pair have gone on to become one of television's most popular presenting duos, picking up multiple awards for their work on This Morning - including several NTAs.

They've even developed their own secret codes from years of trying to stifle their giggles during awkward segments.

The pair will stealthily nudge each other when "an OMG moment" happens, but the camera never picks up on it because they're careful to only touch each other's legs or elbow each other below where they're being filmed.

Phil will also lean back on the sofa to let Holly know he's thinking the same thing as her, which often sets off her infamous giggles.

"I know if Holly's on the brink - we have the same sense of humour, it works at the same speed - so I know if something's happening that's making me laugh inside, it's also making me laugh inside," Phil admitted during This Morning Live in May 2018.